Aircraft



July 8, 1930. 1.. J. RASMUSSEN AIRCRAFT Fild July 8, 1929 Patented July8, 1930 UNETED STATES LUDVIG J'. RASMUSSEN, OF SPOKANE, WASHINGTONAIRCRAFT Application filed July 8, 1929. Serial No. 376,558.

My present invention relates to improvements in aircraft of themonoplane type of flying machine, and the invention. particularlyrelates to the construction of the main plane and the construction andoperation of its auxiliary planes or ailerons. In carryin'g out myinvention I preferably utilize a monoplane having its major dimension orlength alined with the longitudinal axis of the air craft or ship andits minor dimension or width disposed transversely of the ship, thusreducing the lateral spread and elongating the longitudinal axis of theexisting well known types of monoplanes, but at the same '15 timemaintaining an ample area for sustaining the ship in flight. By reducingthe lateral spread of the ship it will be apparent that less side spaceis required for maneuvering the ship, and less storage space isrequire-d in the hangar for the ship. The stability of the ship inflight is enhanced by the disposition of the wing-spread fore and aftand at a substantial distance laterally of the ship, and a flexibilityin manipulating or maneuvering the ship is provided by the arrangementof wing-spread.

In combination with the main plane of the ship I utilize a centrallongitudinal auxiliary plane, together with lateral ailerons, the

:20 iliary plane and ailerons being tiltable for elevating or depressingthe nose of the ship, and for banking, turning, 626., respectively. Theauxiliary plane and ailerons are of course under control of the pilot oraviator and the 15 control means are located in convenient position foruse.

The invention consists in certain novel combinations and arrangements ofparts as will hereinafter be more fully set forth and claimed.

In the accompanying drawing I have illustrated one complete example ofthe physical embodiment of my invention wherein the parts are combinedand arranged according to the best mode I have thus far devised for thepractical application of the principles of my invention.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of an air craft or ship embodying myinvention, the movement of the tiltable plane and ailerons beingindicated by dotted lines. Figure 2 is a top plan View of the ship.Figure 3 is a front elevation showing a portion of the fuselage and thelanding gear, with the control means for the movable elements of theplane. Figure 4 is a detail of the plane adjusting mechanism. Figure 5is a detail view showing one of the pulleys and its control cable.

In order that the general arrangement and relation of parts, togetherwith the utility of my invention may readily be understood I haveillustrated a monoplane type of air ship having the usual body orfuselage 1, landing wheels 2 and frame or rigging 3. The propeller .4,rudder 5 and elevator 6 are all of usual type, and the motor isindicated at 7 in front of the cockpit 8.

. The monoplane is spread over the top of the fuselage or body andcomprises a forward, transversely extending portion 9 with its frontedge incurved as at 9, and this forward spread of the plane whichextends laterally'a suflicient distance from the sides of the fuselage,is of course symmetrically arranged, and supported from'the fuselage bythe forward struts S. The struts project forwardly and laterally fromthe fuselage, Where they are supported, and their upper ends areattached to and support the plane from its underside From the outer endsof the front portion 9 ofthe plane extend two longitudinally disposedportions 10 and 11, arranged in parallelism at the opposite sides of awell 13, and within the well 13 the auxiliary plane 14 is located. Theplane 14 is shown disposed centrally and-longitudinally of the fuselage,an ample space being provided between the plane and the fuselage topermit manipulation of the plane 14:, and the latter, it will beobserved provides a spaced covering over the fuselage.

The lateral edges of the wings 10 and 11 are notched or opened as at 15,and two lateral ailerons 16 occupy these openings in the wings, saidailerons, like the auxiliary plane, being tiltable on an axistransversely of the ship. The auxiliary plane and the ailerons aresupported from a transversely extending axle 17 that extends through theside wings 10 and 11 where it is supported, and the central auxiliary,plane and the ailerons are mounted on the axle as by hubs or brackets18. A cable (or cables) 19 is connected to the plane 14 and cables 20and 21 are connected to the aileronsin order that they may be tilted ontheir axle. The cables 20 and 21 pass around drums 22 that are mountedrigid to turn with a shaft 23 which is journaled in bearings in theframe 3, and the shaft is turned by the control lever 24 having its hub25 fixedto the shaft.

The central auxiliary plane is tilted by means of a crank lever 26journaled by its sleeve 27 on the shaft 23, and the crank arm 28 on thesleeve is connected with the pull cable 19. Thus by means of the twolevers 24 and 26 the central auxiliary plane and the ailerons may betilted. The cables 20 and 21 are so arranged that one cable pulls downthe forward edge of an aileron while the other cable pulls down the rearedge, and vice versa, this difference in movement being accomplished bycrossing one of the cables. The ship may be maneuvered with or withoutthe assistance of the rudder 5 and elevator 6. I

Having thus fully described my invention,

what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is; I

1. Inan aircraft the combination with its fuselage of agenerally'U-shaped monoplane and struts supporting said monoplane fromthe fuselage, tiltable ailerons at the edges of the monoplane and atiltable, centrally located longitudinally extending auxiliary plane, asingle,.transverse axle for the ailerons and auxiliary plane, and meansfor tilting these members on their axis.

2. In an aircraft the combination with its fuselage of a generallyU-shaped monoplane comprising a transversely extending front portion andlaterally disposedlongitudinally extending wings forming a centrallongitudinal space, a transverse axle supported 1n said wlngs, anauxiliary plane mounted on said axle, a pair of lateral ailerons locatedin openings in the side edges of the wings and mounted on the axle, andcontrol means 7 for tilting said auxiliary plane and ailerons. Intestimony whereof I aflix' my signature.

' LUDVIG J RASMUSSEN.

